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Netflix’s Movie Beasts of No Nation gets Theatrical Release Date

The first of Netflix’s original movies, Beasts of No Nation, has been given its theatrical release for US cinemas, at the same time the trailer for the anticipated feature has been aired.

The first of Netflix’s slate of original films will hit screens in select U.S. markets on October 16, the same day that it debuts worldwide on Netflix. The global streaming service is partnering with Bleecker Street and Landmark to open the film in 19 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, D.C, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego, served by Landmark Theatres.

This allows the drama, set in Africa and starring Idris Elba, to be eligible for Oscar consideration – a feat which had its chances improved earlier this week when the feature was selected to screen at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Written and directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Fukunaga (TrueDetective, Sin Nombre) and starring Golden Globe® winner Idris Elba (Luther,), Beasts of No Nation is based on the highly acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, following the story of Agu, a child soldier ripped from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country.

While newcomer Abraham Attah takes on the protagonist role, Elba takes to the screen as the Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war. The stirring story will have to compete against the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, Guillermo del Toro’s horror pic Crimson Peak and the family filmGoosebumps during award season.

Beasts of No Nation will be available in select cinemas and globally on Netflix from October 16th and you can watch the first teaser trailer for the feature below.